tion and perdition. But the employment that we are occupied in, should not only be lawful, but it should be what we are fitted for. Men have different inclinations, different capacities, and different advantages, arising from bodily strength or from the strength of a natural genius, or from the manner of their education. But there is different business enough in the world, for every individual of the human race, let their inclinations, abilities, and advantages, be what they will. But,

3. To serve our generation by the will of God implies, that we abstain from every thing that is contrary to the will of God. God has made known his will to us, partly by the light of nature: for when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shews the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts, the mean while, either accusing or excusing one another. But God has discovered his will to us, more clearly, by an express revelation from heaven. For holy men of God spake as they were moved by the holy ghost. Whatsoever therefore is contrary to the will of God, revealed either by the light of nature, or by his written word, should be carefully avoided by us. For how can we do such great wickedness as to sin against God? Tho' it is true, that some sins are more heinous, and aggravated, than some others, yet every sin deserves eternal damnation. For when men commit sin, they transgress the law of God, and thereby trample under foot, the authority of the law-giver, and implicitly say, let us break his bands asunder, and cast away his cords from us. He that offends then in one point, is guilty of all. We must therefore, cleanse our selves from all filthiness, of the flesh, and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. For this is the will of God, even our sanctification. What I say unto you, (says our Saviour,) I say unto all, watch. We must watch over our hearts, that we may keep

our hearts, with all diligence, because out of them are the issues of life. We must watch over our tongues, that we may refrain our tongues from evil, and our lips that they speak no guile. And we must watch over our lives, that we may exercise ourselves, in keeping consciences, void of offence, toward God and toward men. For it is a truth, that will remain more firm, and unshaken than the pillars of Heaven, or the foundation of the earth; that without holiness, no man shall see the Lord. I add,

4. To serve our generation by the will of God, implies that we diligently, and faithfully, discharge every duty of life. Christianity is a practical science; we are required not only to eschew evil, but to do good. This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly; that they which have believed in God, might be careful, to maintain good works; these things are good and profitable unto men. The duties which we owe more immediately unto God, to our neighbors, and to ourselves, must be faithfully discharged by us. We owe all possible love, and obedience to God, as our creator, preserver, and redeemer. We must therefore love him, fear him, trust him, delight in him, as our portion and happiness; be thankful for his mercies, humbled under his frowns, and devote our bodies, and souls to his service. And the external duties of his worship, should be faithfully discharged by us. Can any man be said to serve his generation by the will of God, who neglects to pray to God in secret? or neglects family prayer, or makes no conscience of absenting from God's publick worship?

There are duties likewise, that we ought to perform to our fellow men. We should do to others as we would that they should do unto us; and love our neighbors as ourselves. And accordingly, we should put on bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness, long suffering, forbearing one another, and forgiving one another. And it is our duty

to endeavor to promote the health and comfort of our own bodies; but more especially to secure the eternal happiness of our precious and immortal souls. For what would it profit a man if he should gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? But there are relative duties that must be performed by them who would serve their generation by the will of God. Magistrates must be just, ruling in the fear of God. That they may be terrors to evil doers, and a praise to them that do well. Ministers must feed the flock of God, which is committed to them, taking the oversight thereof, not for filthy lucre, but of a ready mind; neither as being lords over God's heritage, but being ensamples to the flock. The people are required to obey them that have the rule over them, and submit themselves, for they watch for their souls, as they that must give account. Husbands and wives should behave towards each other as being heirs together of the grace of life, that their prayers be not hindered. And parents and masters of families should walk within their house with a perfect heart, and bring up their chil dren in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. And they should render to their servants what is just and equal. And children and servants should honor and obey their parents and masters, as in the Lord. But,

5. To serve our generation by the will of God, implies that we receive the holy Scriptures as the only rule of our faith as well as of our practice. All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness. And, therefore, to the law and to the testimony, if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. It appears wonderful that there are so many sects and parties in the Christian Church; and so many gross errors that are propagated and supported by men of corrupt minds; tho' they pretend to own the divine authority of the holy Scripture. It is not because the doctrines of the gospel are not

clearly revealed in the holy Scriptures that men run into so many pernicious errors. But it is owing partly to the god of this world, who blinds the minds of them who believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ would shine unto them, and partly, to the pride and prejudices of their own hearts. If men were honestly disposed to search the Scriptures with impartiality, they would know the truth and

the truth would make them free. But when men embrace dangerous errors, they are very fond of making proselytes, and of drawing away disciples after them; and, therefore, instead of serving their generation by the will of God, they are serving Satan and their own lusts. I add once more,

6. To serve our generation by the will of God, implies that we have all our dependance upon the merits of Christ for our justification, and upon his grace to sanctify us, and make us meet for the inheritance of the saints in light. This is evident, because without Christ we can do nothing that is agreeable to the will of God. It is no less evident that we must be justified by the merits of Christ's active and passive obedience imputed to us by faith, because the righteousness by which we are justified, must be commensurate with all the demands of the moral law. The law is a transcript of the divine perfections, and therefore immutable. Heaven and earth shall pass away before one jot or one tittle of the law shall pass, until all be fulfilled. But Christ as our surety and mediator, obeyed the law, and became the end of the law, for righteousness, to every one that believeth. And by his sufferings and death, he answered the penal demands of it. For he himself bare our sins in his own body on the tree: And he who knew no sin was made to sin for us, that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. Being interested, therefore, in Christ by faith, the law can lay nothing to our charge; since it is God that justifith.

But we depend as much upon Christ to sanctify us, as to justify us. For we can as easily justify ourselves before

God, as we can take away our own stony hearts, and give ourselves hearts of flesh, and create ourselves anew in Christ Jesus, unto good works that we may live in them. The law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. his fullness we must all receive, even grace for grace.

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2. To shew the evidences of this truth, that men can never cbtain a better, and a more honorable character, than by serving their generation, by the will of God.

Now this appears evident, because such men are conformed to the image of God. God is always at work. Our Saviour said, my Father worketh hitherto, and I work. He is continually doing us good. He is good to all, and His tender mercies are over all his works. All eyes wait upon him, and he giveth them their meat in due season. How can we therefore obtain a better, and a more honorable character, than to be followers of God as dear children. Again,

He went about doing He spent his whole life

Such men as serve their generation by the will of God, imitate the example of Jesus Christ. He has left us an example that we should follow his steps. good to the bodies and souls of men. in serving his generation by the will of God. And as he was delivered for our offences, and is raised again for our justification; all power in heaven and in earth is committed unto him. So all the blessings of God's providence are dispensed through his hands; and all the blessings of God's grace come from him as from the fountain, for he is head over all things to his Church. It is the highest honor, therefore, that we can attain to in this world, or the world to come, to be like Jesus Christ. What can we aspire after of equal importance with being changed into the same image of Jesus Christ, from glory to glory, even by the spirit of the Lord? Moreover,

The elders, by serving their generation by the will of God, obtained a good report. Their memories have by this, been